HANGATIKI.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXVIII, Issue 40, 19 May 1869, Page 4

HANGATIKI.

DESIRE OF THE KINO- NATIVES TO MEET THE PRINCE AT NGARUAWAHIA. [From the Southern Cross.~\ Heta Tarawhiti, a native minister, who, it will be remembered, left Auckland for Hangatiki some time ! ago, being the bearer of a letter from the authorities to Tawhiao, returned on Wednesday evening, after having attended the great native meeting. He reports that the King Tawhiao and his adherents were exceedingly peaceable in their disposition towards tho Europeans. The King held no direct communication with tho meeting, but was represented by his Prime Minister, Manuhiri, or, as he ia more familiarly called, Tamati Ngapora. Rewi was also very peaceably disposed. No action was taken with regard to Te Kooti and the White Cliffs murders, nor was any sentiment expressed in relation to them. Messages to the tribes in different parts of the country commanded them to leave off killing, and to remain peaceable, so that universal quietude may prevail over the island. Rewi has gone down to Tapapa, near Mr. Firth's run, and has sent messengers to the Arawa tribe requesting an interview with tlipm, so that peaceable relations may be established with the Arawas, and, in fact, with all the tribes who are now hostile to the Waikatos, so that the same feeling may extend to the pakeha. It is conjectured that id will be useless for the Waikatos to request other people to be quiet if isolated tribes in other parts of the country keep up hostilities. Rewi and Manuhiri have also promised to bviug about ft good understanding amongst their own people, so that there may be mutual forbearance and good-will towards the natives opposed to the pakeha and (he friendly natives. Hctu sajs the intention is not to drive away the Kupapas from our Bluncluvd, but to induce them to ugreo to some

basis for the establishment of a permanent peace throughout the Northern Island. Rewi says there has been confusion and bloodshed for many years, but now it is time that the " court-yard " should be cleansed. Te Rauparaha, whose arrival we noticed some time ago, has reached Hangatiki, and had audience with the King party. Rauparaha is the bearer of a letter from Mr. Stafford requesting Tawhiao to come down to Ngaruawahia, to meet the Prince, and in consequence the natives are undecided about coming down on their own account, from Waikato and the Raglan coast. The natives appear to regard tho invitation of the Government to come down to Ngaruawahia as an offer to restore Waikato, and a rumour has got afloat that the Government may in- 1 tend that the restoration shall be formally announced by the Prince himself. One thing is certain, namely, that the King and principnl chiefs would never dream of meeting the Prince at Ngaruawahia, unless under some such impression as this, or on the other hand with the intention of signifying thereby that they acknowledged the rule of the pakehas, and had determined henceforth to become our slaves. Such are the only two lights in which tho proceedings would be viewed according to Maori custom. A desire was, however, expressed by Manuhiri to have an interview with the Prince, and it is supposed that, if overtures were made by the Government party, the place of meeting would be Te Kopera, a settlement a few miles south of Alexandra. We may add that we received the following yesterday :—: — Alexandra, May 6, 4, p.m. Te Rauparaha, Rewi, and Tamati Ngapora met ye3torday, at Louis Hottit's place. They determined to meet the Prince at Ngaruawahia, if the necessary arrangements can be made by the Government.